Link



Nov. `19, 1935. c; N. MITCHELL LINK original Fi1d Aug. 22, 1930 Patented Nov. 19, 1935 UNITED STATES FATNT QFFIQE signor to Houde Engineering Corporation,

Buffalo, N. Y., a corporation of New York original application August 22, 1939, renewed December 15, 1932, Serial No. 477,035.

Divided and this application September 18, 1935, Serial 4 Claims.

This invention relates to connecting links which are particularly adapted for use with a vehicle shock absorber.

This application is a division of my copending 5 application entitled Connecting rod for shock absorber Serial No. 477,035, originally filed August 22, 1930, and renewed December 15, 1932.

It is an object of this invention to provide a connecting link provided at its opposite ends with a housing or casing in which is secured one or more blocks of elastic material, such as rubber, each block being shaped toi define an opening or socket, which is oval, spheroidal, or elliptical in shape and adapted to receivetherein the similarly shaped end of a stud or arm, the housings each being provided with an elongated opening to facilitate the insertion of the end of the stud or arm therein.

Another object of this invention is to provide a connecting link for' connecting the arm of a shock absorber with a stud carried by an axle in such a manner as to provide a yielding connection between the stud and the arm which will permit a slight relative movement therebetween.

A further object of this invention is to provide a connecting rod which is noiseless and requires no lubrication.

A specific object of this invention is to provide a connecting link having a housing with a resilient bushing seated therein adapted to receive a flattened stud head of a. stud by insertion of the stud head through an opening provided in the housing and rotation of the stud. head to be seated in the rubber bushing and thus be locked. in the housing.

Other and further objects of this invention will appear from the following detailed description of the annexed sheet of drawing which discloses preferred embodiments of the invention.

On the drawing:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary View, partly in cross section and partly in side elevation disclosing my improved connecting link connected with the shock absorber of a vehicle.

Figure 2 is a horizontal cross sectional View taken substantially on the line II-II of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view of the connecting link shown in Figures 1 and 2, with parts in elevation.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary vertical cross sectional view disclosing a modified form ofconnecting link according to this invention.

Figure 5 is a View similar to Figure 4 disclosing another modification of a link according to this invention.

Figure 6 is a side elevational view, with parts shown in vertical cross section, of another modication of link according to tlL's invention.

As shown on the drawing:

The reference character I `designates a portion 5 of the frame of an automotive vehicle to which is secured a shock absorber 2 of the double acting type, the details of construction of which form no part of this invention. The shock absorber 2 is provided with an arm 3 which extends out-V 10 wardly therefrom and has its outer end bent at an angle thereto as is shown most clearly in Figure 2. The outer end 4 of the arm 3 is oval or elliptical in shape as sho-wn most clearly in Figures 2 and 3. 15

The reference character E designates the axle of an automotive vehicle tol which is secured a stud 6 in any suitable manner. The outer end of the stud t is enlarged as shown at l in Figure 3 `and is substantially the same shape as the 20 outer end 4 of the arm t.

The connecting link consists essentially of a rod 8, the opposite ends of which are slightly enlarged and exteriorly threaded as shown at 9 and lo in Figure 3. Threadedly secured over each 25 of the threaded portions 9 and l0 of the rod 8 are housings o-r casings Il and i2.

Arranged within each of the housings il and l2 `are rubber blocks I3, le and 13a, la, respectively, which are shaped to define a socket or re- 30 cess which is; oval or elliptical and adapted to receive therein the similarly shaped end portions i and 'l of the arm 3 and stud t, respectively. The housings i l and l2 are each provided in one side thereof with elongated openings l5 which 35 are sumciently long to permit the insertion of the stud and arm heads 'l and 4 therein.

As shown, the rubber blocks define a preformed recess in the housing having its major axis at an angle to the major axis of the elongated open 40 ings l5, preferably in alignment with the short axis of the openings I5.

Arranged within each of the housings il and l2 are disks i6 and Ilia which are disposed be.n tween the rubber blocks and the ends ofthe rod 45 8 to provide a bearing for the rubber blocks i3 and 13a, respectively.

Due to the fact that the end portion 4 of the arm 3 and end portion 'l of the stud 6 are oval or elliptical in shape and fit within the similarly 50 shaped sockets provided in the rubber blocks, it will be seen that upon relative movement between the vehicle axle and frame, the end portions of the stud and arm will tend to turn within the sockets. However, since the rubber blocks t 55 movement of the ends, thus providing a resilient but operative connection between the arm andV stud which provides an additional checking action for the movements of the axle and the frame of an automotive vehicle. Y

In securing the connecting link to the stud 6, the lower rubber block Ida is rst placed within the housing I2. and the end I of the stud 6Y is turned about 90 degrees from the position shown in Figure 3 and inserted through the elongated opening I5 provided in the housing. The rubber block ma is compressed by a suitable tool so as to permit insertion of the stud therein. The end of the stud is then rotated back about 90 degrees to be seated in the recess of the rubber block Illa.l The other rubber block I2 is then placed in-the housing over the end ofthe stud andthe portion I of the rod 8 is threaded in the housing to slightly compress the blocks and seat the stud head in the sockets provided by the rubber blocks. The end of the stud is thus locked in the housing since it cannot be removed through the opening I5 unless it is rotated'about 90 degrecs. The end 4 of the arm 3 is seated in the housing I! in the same manner. YAfter the con-V necting link has been secured to the stud and arm, adjustment can be made by turning the rod 6 to place the rubber blocks under the desired amount of compression. Y

In Figure 4 there is disclosed a slightly modied form of my invention in which the connecting link consists ci" a rod 8a, the upper end of which is exteriorly threaded and over which is secured a housing I1 which is held in place by means of-a nut I8 threadedly secured over the threaded end portion 'of the rod. The nut I8 Y which is secured a casing or housing 25.

upper end of the-rod Bb is flattened or headed is provided with tool engaging portions I9 whereby the same may be tightened. Arranged within the casing Vor housing I'I are blocks of rubber 20 and 2l which are substantially identical with the blocks of rubber I3 and I4 used in connec- Ytion with the form of `the invention shown in Figures 1 to 3 inclusive. However, in this case, the upper endof the casing is open and is closed by means of a cap or cover 22 which is secured in place by a split ring 23 fitting within a groove provided inl theupper portion of the-housing I'I. The opposite end of the rod 8a is of similarrconstruction. Ihe housing Il has an elongated opening 24 giving entrance thereto and the end 4a of the arm 3 is inserted in the housing in the manner described above in connection with Figures 1 to 3. I

In Figure 5 there is disclosed another modification of my invention in Vwhich the connecting link consistsV of a rod 8b -over the upper end of The as at 26 to secure the casing or housing 25 thereto. The upper end of the housing 25 is interiorly` Y threaded.

,an oval or elliptical socket adapted to receive Arranged within the housing 25 are blocks, of rubber-25 andv 2l which are shaped to provide a similarly shaped end portion 28 of the arm 3 or studV 6. The housing 25 is also provided at one side thereof with an elongated opening 29 having its major axis at an angle to the major axis of the socket dened by the'rubber blocks. The socket or recess is preferably in alignment with the short axis of theopening 29 to facilitate insertion of the end portion 28. Y

The upper end of the casing or housing 25 is closed by means of a cap or cover 30 which isV threadedly secured therein and locked in adjusted position by means oi a cotter pin 3I. The opposite end of the rod 8h may be of similar construction. 1 10 In Figure 6 there is disclosed still another modication of my invention in which the shock absorber arm 3b is provided with an enlarged portion defining a housing or casing 49, the outer end of which is open and interiorly threaded. 15 Fitted within the enlarged portion 40 is a block of rubber 4I which has an opening therein shaped to dene an oval socket or recess which is adapted to receive the similarly shaped projecting end portion 32V of a connecting rod 8c. Threadedly 20 secured within the end of the housing 40 is an annular ring or nut 33 which surrounds the end portion of the rod `8`c and secures the rubber block 4I in place. V'Ihe ring or nut 33 is provided with tool engagingportions 34 by means of which 275. f

theA same may be turned to adjustrthe pressure upon the rubber block. The opening in the nut 33 is of such sizeV as to permit some relative movement between the shock absorber arm 3b and the connecting rod 8c. The connection at 30V` the other end of the rod 8e is of similar construction. I

In all forms of the invention disclosed, the Y end portions of the arm and Vstud are attened in shape and adapted to fit within a similarly 35 shaped openingV provided in the housings. In each case, this end portion is surrounded by one or more blocks of rubber or fother'suitable resil- Yient materialV which Vwill permit a slight movement of the end portions of the stud or arm there- 40 in, thus providing a somewhat resilient but operative connection between the arm and stud; i

The housings or casings are provided with an elongated opening which is somewhat oval or elliptical in shape and has its major axis disposed substantially parallel with the axis of the rod, thus providing a very simple and effective means for securing. the connecting link in place.

I am aware that many changes may be'made and numerous details of constructionV may be n varied through a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention and, I, therefore, do not purpose limiting the patent granted hereon otherwise than necessitated by theprior art. e

VI claim as my invention:

1. In a link, a housing having an elongated opening giving entrance thereto,'a resilient bushingr in said housing deiining a preformed narrow cavity having they long axis thereof at an angle to the long axis of thesaid Velongated opening o the housing, a stud member having a flattened head seated in said cavity in tight engagement with the bushing walls defining the cavity and entirely surrounded by the bushing, Wherebyrrelative movement between the stud and housing is permitted'by interparticle flowof the resilientV bushing, said flattened stud head having the maximum diameter thereof slightly less than the longer axis of the elongated opening of the housing but greater than the short axis of said opening so that the stud head is locked in the housing when seated in the bushingcavity.'

2.V In a link assembly, a housing having an Y elongated opening giving entrance thereto, a pair of resilient rubber blocks in said housing dening together a resilient bushing with a preformed elongated cavity therein in alinement with the opening in the housing but having the long axis thereof at an angle to the long axis of the opening, a stud having a flattened head seated in said cavity with said blocks substantially surrounding the entire stud head, the long axis of said opening being greater than the width of said stud head to permit insertion of the stud head into the housing, said widthof the stud head being greater than the short axis of the opening in the housing, whereby the stud head is locked into the housing after being seated in the bushing cavity and movement between the stud and housing is permitted by interparticle flow of lthe rubber blocks.

3. In a link assembly, a housing having a free open end and an elongated side opening, a rubber bushing in said housing having a preformed elongated Cavity therein in alinement with said side opening, the long axis of the cavity being at an angle to the long axis of the side opening, a stud having a flattened head seated in said bushing cavity and substantially entirely surrounded by said bushing, the long axis of said side opening being greater than the width of said stud head but the width of said stud head being greater than the short axis of said side opening whereby the stud is locked in the housing when seated in the cavity of the bushing and relative movement be- 5 tween the stud and housing is permitted by interparticle Iiow of the rubber bushing and a closure member for the free open end of the housing to hold the bushing therein.

4. A connecting rod having a housing at one end thereof, said housing having an elongated opening giving entrance thereto, a rubber bushing in said housing having a preformed narrow slot located therein adjacent the housing opening and transversely thereof, and a stud member having a fiattened head seated in said slot and substantially surrounded by said bushing, the diameter .of said stud head being slightly less than the longer axis of said housing opening but greater than the short axis of said opening whereby said stud head may be inserted through said opening and rotated 90 to be seated in the slot and locked in the housing, and relative movement between the stud and housing is permitted by interparticle flow of the rubber bushing.

COUR'INEY N. MITCHELL. 

